About this role
DIRECTOR: TALENT, PERFORMANCE AND ORGANISATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS (Payclass 13; Peromnes 5) HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT At the University of Cape Town (UCT), approximately 7 000 talented employees work together in a vibrant and stimulating environment to ensure that UCT remains the best in and for Africa. Guided by a shared commitment to excellence, sustainability, transformation, and inclusivity, academic and Professional, Administrative Support and Service (PASS) staff collaborate to advance UCT's core mission of teaching, learning, research, and social impact. UCT offers a diverse and supportive community where individuals can flourish, contribute meaningfully, and play a vital role in achieving the ambitions of Strategy 2030. UCT, a research-intensive university that is consistently acknowledged as one of the finest universities in Africa, is seeking to appoint an HR Director: Talent, Performance and Organisational Effectiveness . The main purpose of this position is to: Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive Talent, Performance and Organisational Effectiveness (TPOE) strategy, partnering with University leadership, staff, and HR teams to build organisational capability, enhance performance, and advance the objectives of the University's People and Culture Strategy. Requirements for the job: Qualifications and Experience: Master’s degree (NQF 9) in Industrial or Organisational Psychology, Human Resources Management, Organisational Development, or a related discipline. Minimum of 15 years' progressive experience in Human Resources, People & Culture, Talent Management, Organisational Effectiveness, or Organisational Development, including at least five years in a senior leadership role. Demonstrated success in shaping and executing people strategies that align talent, culture, organisational capability, and business objectives. Key Experience and Leadership Requirements: Proven experience leading enterprise-wide talent, organisational effectiveness, culture and workforce transformation strategies within complex organisations. Strong track record in designing and implementing integrated talent and organisational effectiveness frameworks, including workforce planning, succession management, leadership development, performance enablement, employee experience, organisational design, and capability building. Demonstrated ability to lead change and transformation, develop people policies and governance frameworks, and deliver strategic interventions that enhance organisational performance, agility, and culture. Experience leading high-performing specialist teams and building strong partnerships with executive leaders, employee representatives, and key stakeholders to drive service excellence and business outcomes. Expertise in applying people analytics, workforce insights, and programme management disciplines to develop innovative, evidence-based solutions and communicate complex organisational issues to diverse audiences. Technical Knowledge and Expertise: Talent Management, Leadership Development, Succession Planning, and Workforce Planning. Organisational Effectiveness, Organisational Development, and Organisation Design methodologies. Performance and Capability Management frameworks. Change Leadership, Culture Transformation, and Employee Experience strategies. People Analytics and Workforce Intelligence. Human Capital Governance, Employment Legislation, and Contemporary HR Practices. Financial Management, Business Acumen, Strategic Planning, and Business Continuity principles. Leadership Attributes: Strategic and systems thinker with a future-focused and enterprise-wide perspective. Ability to conceptualise and develop policies and effectively operationalise, and execute them to achieve intended outcomes Ability to balance people, culture, performance, and organisational sustainability outcomes. Skilled in navigating ambiguity, complexity, and transformation while creating organisational alignment and engagement. The following will be advantageous: Mem bership of a relevant HR related professional body e.g. South African Board of People Practice (SABPP), The Institute of People Management (IPM) . Re gistration as Psychometrist or Industrial Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). An u nderstanding of Higher Education environment lity to balance people, culture, performance, and organisational sustainability outcomes. Responsibilities: Oversee the design, integration, and execution of TPOE strategies, policies, and programmes to enhance organisational effectiveness across: Organisational climate, culture, staff experience and change management Organisational design (incl. structure and position analysis) Performance management and employee engagement Talent attraction, development, and retention Career mobility and succession management TPOE systems and processes Transformation and Inclusion initiatives in partnership with Office of Inclusion Provide strategic leadership and subject matter expertise within the HR Centre of Expertise. Manage resources and lead initiatives within the TPOE domain. Serve on HR management and relevant University committees. Partner with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with current, research-based TPOE best practices. For detailed information on this post, please view the job description, see link: view The annual cost of employment, including benefits, is between R 1 375 821 and R 1 618 612. To apply , please click the 'apply' button to create a profile and submit your application. Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application: Motivational letter that speaks to the requirements of the position Curriculum Vitae (CV) Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address and telephone number Highest qualification ID/Passport An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo competency and pre-placement-medical assessments. R eferences may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process. Any enquiries for the position to be addressed to Ms Tracy Moore at [email protected] or 021 650 4505. Closing date: 4 October 2026 Website: https://uct.ac.za Reference number: ID 1500 UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/about/policies/eepolicy.pdf . When you apply for a position at UCT, we collect your personal information to assess your application, communicate with you, and coordinate interview logistics. Information such as race, gender, nationality, and disability status is used to support our Employment Equity obligations. We also verify your references, qualifications, conduct criminal and, for certain roles, credit checks. For more information about how the University of Cape Town uses personal information and your rights, please email [email protected] . The University reserves the right to extend the closing date for applications if deemed necessary and reserves the right to make no appointment.